Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has revealed its intention to acquire Juniper Networks, recognized as a pioneer in AI-powered networks, in an all-cash deal totaling about $14 billion, equivalent to $40 per share. Following the transaction's conclusion, Juniper CEO Rami Rahim is set to oversee the merged HPE networking business, functioning under the guidance of HPE President and CEO, Antonio Neri. The acquisition is anticipated to double HPE's networking division, establishing a new prominent player in the networking realm. This collaboration aims to provide customers and partners with an expanded portfolio, offering an enticing new option to drive enhanced business value, as stated by the company.
Neri mentioned, "This deal will fortify HPE's position in the rapidly evolving realm of macro-AI trends, broaden our market opportunities, and drive continuous innovation for our customers. It will facilitate the convergence between AI-native and cloud-native domains, delivering substantial value to our shareholders". The amalgamated company, leveraging cutting-edge AI, is anticipated to enhance user experiences and operational efficiency, benefiting customers with high-performance networks and cloud data centers.
Rahim stated, "Uniting with HPE allows us to accelerate our journey's next phase. Moreover, this collaboration ensures significant value for our shareholders through a substantial all-cash premium". The newly formed networking division aims to escalate from approximately 18 percent of HPE's total revenue as of fiscal year 2023 to about 31 percent, contributing more than 56 percent of HPE's overall operating income. The transaction is expected to conclude either by late calendar year 2024 or early calendar year 2025.